TrinaSo Fresh

Trina’s career blossomed after debuting on Trick Daddy’s 1998 breakout hit “Nann Nigga,” off his album, www.thug.com. Her sharp tongue, sassy style and voluptuous curves are, in large part, what made her an instant star. Two years later, Trina released her gold debut album, Da Baddest Bitch (Slip-N-Slide/Atlantic Records), which peaked at No. 33 on the Billboard chart thanks to the sexually explicit hit, “Pull Over.” Packing more sex appeal than a XXL Eye Candy pinup, Trina was every d-boy’s fantasy. Her follow up album, Diamond Princess (2002), was well received and reflected her artistic growth with memorable moments, such as “No Panties” featuring Tweet and “B R Right,” which offered Ludacris. Unfortunately, Trina wasn’t able to duplicate such success with 2005’s Glamorest Life. Despite guest appearances from Lil Wayne and Kelly Rowland, and production from Mannie Fresh and Jazze Pha, the album failed to achieve gold status. With redemption in mind, Trina now looks towards a fresh start in 2007. She parted ways with her label of five years, Atlantic Records, in 2006 and has now found a new home (which she intends to keep a secret, for the time being). Her new album (still untitled) will be released this July with production from Scott Storch, Cool & Dre and The Runners. Trina discusses her new album, the breakup with Atlantic Records and her controversial past with XXLMag.com

Why haven’t we had more albums from female MCs lately?
The industry is male dominated. It’s crazy because there are only a few females and everybody is so spaced out. The unity is not there. I think with females, we’re a lot more emotional and when things aren’t going great, I think it’s a little discouraging. You kind of get sheltered and don’t really know which route to take. Now, it’s a new year and there are a lot of females coming out. You got the Remy Ma, Shawnna and Jackie-O collaboration.

What do you think about their group?
I think it’s hot! It shows a form of unity for girls to reach out, let their voices be heard and [try to] make a difference. The album should be great. I’m looking forward to working with them on [it]. It’s up to us to stand strong and go hard.

You were speaking at a conference [St. Thomas University's Second Annual Business Leadership Summit] for young girls recently. How did that come about?
It was a power summit to educate the girls about life, money, the industry and their future. It was really cool. I have a foundation called the Diamond Dolls Foundation. It’s a blessing to be able to give back and share my personal experiences with the girls.

You’ve done a lot — modeled, dropped hot albums — have you proven that you’re not just a pretty face?
That’s so important. A lot of people get it twisted when you’re a chick in the game. Your looks are cool and I’m blessed, but I just want people to respect the work. I work extremely hard, just as hard as the guys, if not more. I’m one of the hardest working females in the business.

But you can be vicious at times too. You put Khia on blast.
[Laughs] That whole situation is really so out of my element. But it is what it is. I felt like she was being disrespectful, so I addressed the situation and that’s the end of it. I just felt like it’s not fair to open a magazine and some chick is talking slick out the face. I don’t know her personally and I never did anything to make her say something about me. If you don’t like me or my music, then don’t look at me or don’t listen. That’s a choice. That’s one good thing about America. So when you come sideways out the face, it’s a problem.

You also went at Gillie Da Kid.
Personally, I don’t know him. I just feel like, as a female, to hear some of the things that come from people’s mouth is disrespectful. I don’t know you, so don’t disrespect me. I don’t have anything to say about you. Whatever you’re going through with anybody else — y’all are dudes, you can battle it out all day. That’s not my thing. But I’m not gonna allow you to disrespect me and feel like its cool, because its really not. And that [goes with] anybody. When you are disrespectful, don’t [think] I’m not gonna have nothing to say back. For the most part, I ignore it, ‘cause I don’t have the time. But I just went into this zone like, ‘Look, don’t come at me sideways.’ I’m not built like that. I’m fly and I’m not gonna let you say anything out the face to me. And that’s that.

There is currently video footage circulating on the Internet of you dancing explicitly on stage at a Trick Daddy concert while guys are groping and pouring liquor on you.
My thing is this — I saw some of that and all of that stuff is like a decade old. Find something new to dig up. We’re in the year 2007. That was like 1997. It’s not even worth the conversation. Please!

Did you feel violated when you saw the video?
This is how we got into music — we were on the road dancing with Trick. When I came into the game, I expressed that. Yes, before I was doing real estate and before I was a rapper, I used to dance at a topless nightclub. I said that and it’s nothing new. So everybody that’s overexcited, clam down. I said that already and it’s over with. People always do anything to pull you down. At the end of the day, it’s something I did when I was a child. We were on stage, wildin’ and dancing. But I was fully clothed, I wasn’t naked and I wasn’t having sex with anybody. I was acting crazy and it’s something that I did when I was a kid. I’m a grown woman. I don’t have to explain myself to anybody and I don’t have any skeletons in my closet. In life, there are people that indulge in anything to make a person look bad. You can’t stop that. But I hold no regrets in life. My past is what made me the person I am today.

People are interested in your situation. They love celebrity couples.
There is so much pressure when you’re in one of those situations. Its my personal life and I like for it to stay that way. It can escalate into so much more. I don’t really like to talk about anything that I feel is sacred to me. I don’t want to discuss it. I feel like he’s a great person and that’s the end of that. He’s a great person.

It must be something real for you to be so protective of it.
It’s definitely a real situation. He’s an amazing person, a very special person, so therefore it’s always gonna be that way. I’m always going to be protective of my personal life, despite what anybody feels or says. Some things you just wanna keep that way.

Are you still signed to Atlantic Records?
Actually, my deal was up with Atlantic Records after [my last] project. It was a decision to either record a new project or not to. I’ve been with Atlantic my whole career. With the last project, I just felt like, at this time, I want to do something different. I had the option to move forward but I want to take the chance and see what happens. I feel like its going to be a great opportunity and a great outcome.

What label are you signed to now?
With Slip-N-Slide. I’m not able to speak on the new proceedings. It’s the labels, they bug out and don’t want it to be over hyped. So I’d rather not talk about it until its finally complete and then we’ll make a public announcement.

Are you disappointed with the sales from your last album, Glamorest Life?
I feel like a lot of things weren’t taken care of, as far as the structure of the album, how it was set up, put out and the rotation of the records. It’s just a lot of different things. Everything wasn’t going accordingly and it showed in the record sales being below expectations. But I still handled my business. Now we move onto the next chapter.

What’s next for you?
I’ve been working on my album, which will be released in July. Not really sure about the title yet, but it’s going to be great. I have the most control I’ve ever had on any project. I got features and a few tricks up my sleeve. As far as producers, I’ve worked with Cool & Dre, The Runners, Scott Storch and a few upcoming producers out of Cleveland.

Recommended for You

Around the Web

Best of XXL

The moral of this story is- Keep It Moving.. Fuck those trying to hate and pull you down…

PEACE!!!

Daddys Girl

Trina sucks…thats why her album didnt even make gold…damn bitch been in the game for a min & she only makin Gold…WTF is that shit about? Obviously she aint as bad as SHE think she is…even tho she was talkin some grown woman shit…& has matured a lot…she is just not the Bitch the game is lookin for…her record sales prove it…she cant even hit plat

Give it up boo boo…go back to real estate!

DG

Dipset

I’d Hit it

draper

you can have that hoe!

http://xllmag.com OATS

i second that…

killadelphia

BITCH CANT RAP

http://www.myspace.com/miss901 Tesha

Like I say in my song “IT DON’T MATTER”, HATERS ALWAYS TRYING TO BRING YOU DOWN!!!!

The Truth

SECOND!

Trina sucks

http://yahoo philly so hot

I love Trina but she needs be careful the way she answers her questions…. seems a little faje to me

I wish Trina were all of you all’s mother or sister! Then would you be dissin’ her and lying on your dick? You ain’t never been nowhere near her poonanny nigga! These blogs are what’s “GARBAGE!” FEDERAL RANGA!!! What’s so amusing that you are LMAO?? You are easily entertained negro! … a real simpleton! Go somewhere and get a life!

WTF

wayne and luda hit that before you fuckers lol

http://www.iwillspankyourkids.blogspot.com Hollywood

Show Trina some love, damn! Ain’t ya’ll tired of the fake homo-thugs and broke d-boys?

C.Rob

Trina, just let Wayne write your entire album, and it will be good, easy as that

Cherisse

It’s kinda funny that only a very small portion of this interview is focused on Trina’s explicit dancing at Trick Daddy’s party in 1997, YET that’s the only thing people can talk about when they leave a comment…
Move on.
Even if Trina’s music ain’t really your thing, how can you not admire her fearlessness and fuck-the-world attitude. She acknowledges she’s done some hoeish things, but she’s matured, trying to be a positive role model, and looking towards a less scandalous future.
We should all be so focused… good interview

Trina is aight, but she was never a bomb ass rapper. She just had a bomb ass.

My boy hit that shit in 95′any way. We were in miami at the club she worked at. This was before she was famous or w/e. She used to do madd yayo and my homie got her back to the tellie. They were doin a buncha that shit and I dont get down, so I decided to hit another club, and they stayed. When I got back early in the morning they were assed out naked. They made a huge mess, there was stuff everywhere, water on the floor from the shower, fuckin room service, I mean they fucked the room up. It was crazy. Im lying.

LOL

1 hunned.

J. boog

All ya’ll talk MAJOR SHIT, that’s why ya’ll bustas now. Trina is hot, she can spit and she has her shit together. It so much more involved with making an album and you can be the hottest spitter and your album is crap. It don’t have nothing to do with the artist as it has to do with the WHOLE TEAM!. Trina IS THE BADDEST BITCH, spit on girl!!!. STL in the house, Holla back!!!.

THE DJ FORMERLY KNOW AS INCREDIBLE

trina been with like 30 dudes at age 27. horrible.

trick, chad johnson, weezy…..

http://www.msn.com King_Ben U Beezy

I’ll bust Trina fo’ real!

Dade County 305

keep doin your shit HOMETEAM. niggaz hate more than females. Trina always been a fine sista. i remember her back n the days when we were n HS. she really was the baddest chic. she was in Miami North Westen High School marching band.i used 2 check her out when we played them in football durinG half time… im pround of u Trina!!! keep reppin 305 & THE SOUTH. LIBERTY CITY & SCOTT PROJECTS GOT U!!! HOME-TEAM

Prime

I produce my own beats check it out. spread the love. add to friends list and drop a comment

Cosign Dadecounty 305… I’m from Miami too… Carol City… Rick Ross’s hood. I used to attend P.A.V.A.C. at the West after school back in the ’70′s. Don’t know if that program is still kickin’ with Ms. Swindell. Anyway, we’ve all got stories about some chick we freaked with. Some of those chicks/dudes turn out to be famous later on. So it becomes our “claim to fame” that we bedded them down. WHooptie-doo! What we got here is “Confessions of non-video hoodrat.” Trina, keep doing your thang. Everybody’s got a fuckin’ past! http://www.myspace.com/khalilamani

she damn well know she went at gillie 4 lil wayne…Gon girl…HAHA!PLus she aint been doing shit, so gotta start somewhere…

http://www.myspace.com/slicnic88 Nic

trina is good not just good lookin, she’s one of my favorites, I got mad respect for female rappers in the game some of them holdin they own and I support them. trina may have some raunchy rhymes but thats who she is so deal wit it muthafuckas, she up there on my fav top 10 rappers wit Lil Kim, Remy Ma, Foxy Brown, and Shawnna so Trina keep doin ya thang, these broke ass niggas on here tryna front niggas ya’ll aint even in the game and ya’ll talkin shit on the sidelines!! Step ya game up nigga!

occhiwwallywally

lemme get that stripper tape!!! fo’ sho LOL

lake

yall actin like her goin at gillie makes wayne less of a man, thats 1 down ass bitch and weezys to good for gillie so he lets his hoe do it

BossGame

Northwestern Alum: 85
Lil Sis keep doin what ya do.

http://misterrickyblackplanet.com BossGame

Keep doin what ya do Sister. Walk like a Queen.
from a Dade County Native. Northestern 85′

geezy

Looka here, am from miami and trina is aight lyrically…..she needs work, but she needs to stop talkin bout sucking dick, and her ass……hip hop is dead…..out of 100 rappers, 96 is garbage

Diamond

man… trina can rap.. and all of these rumors you all are hearing about her is not true unless you have legitimate proof.i think she answered those questions very maturely and i think she has done a great job with all of her albums.

FUCK KHIA, THATS THE ONE HIT WONDER. THAT BITCH AINT DID SHIT AND AS FAR AS TRINA AT LEAST SHE HAS STAYED IN THE GAME.REGARDLESS OF HOW MUCH HER RECORDS HAVE SOLD SHE HAS HUNG IN THERE.SO ALL YALL HATERS DONT HATE ON A BAD BITCH THATS HOLDING IT DOWN.

CARMELLA

Trina is DA BADDEST BITCH, like it or not all you hating ass bitches. Also, the bitch can rap, all of you who say that she can’t are too HUNG UP ON YOUR FAV FEMALE RAPPERS’ CLIT!! And, Khia aint SHIT compared to Trina. The hoe want to talk about Trina being a hoe and a dyke…when the hoe herself is walking around town with no fucking clothes on, looking like Tony the Tiger with her nasty ass stretchmarks on her stomach, and on her boobs (the nipples by the way looks like pancakes, that has a disease)..try and find that nasty picture of Khia..that hoe is a mess. Trina is FRESH. And to the person who said that Trina has been doing shit..WHERE THE FUCK HAVE YOU BEEN? Trina has been doing PLENTY. Get off of her clit and give the woman some respect.

tori

first off leave her alon i love her she is very talented plus yall say she dont write her own stuff yes she does she has ppl help her write it t.i wrote some of lil kim raps for her she proved that she can stay in the game for almost 10 yeears now most female rappers last bout three weeks if there was a female rap hall of fame she would be in it because she can deliver better than most dudes love ya

You know i am so sick and tiredof seeing blogs with people dissing other people. Yawl so worried about other motherfuckers to sit here and argue over there life and who did what to who , when and why. Trina is human like us and you nor I know her personally you dont know what she do unless you here shit form other people. Get a fucking hobbie and stop criticizing. We all go through shit in life instead of downing each other and acting out over someone elses drama that has not a damn thing to do with you, yuo need to be doing something with yourself. I give trina all props for her hard work and dedication to the game of being a female rapper and fuck you if you got something to say about me for saying it. we all work hard at something and who the fuck is it somebodys place to kick someone down when they are already down. She is human you win some and u lose some. the only difference between us and celebrities is the zip code and the pay rate everything else is the same. People need to stop hating and do you. so worried about other people who are doing more than you… shit i want that guap tooo but i aint steeping on nobody toes or downing someone to make me look better or crack slick on someone i know nothing about. LETS GET THIS GUAP AND STOP HATTING ON STARS CAUSE YOU WISH YOU WERE ONE , DONT WISH BE ONE.